Natick Report

Since 2020: More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.

Natick government meetings for week of July 20, 2026: Community Preservation proposals; Memorial School

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A sampling of Natick town government meetings and agenda items for the week of July 20, 2026 (Review all meetings &  agendas):                            

Monday, July 20 – Board of Health, 5:00 PM, Virtual (Zoom)

The Board of Health will review and approve June meeting minutes before discussing proposed regulations for kratom. Members will also receive updates from the Health Department on staffing, environmental health, public health nursing, and Natick 180 initiatives, followed by board member updates and planning for future meetings.

Tuesday, July 21 – Community Preservation Committee, 6:30 PM, Town Hall and Virtual (Hybrid)

The Community Preservation Committee will hold public hearings on four Community Preservation Act funding proposals. Projects include preserving Natick’s photographic history, creating an accessible rail trail connection and native garden, constructing Phase One of the South Natick Parks project, and refining the scope of improvements at Murphy Park. The committee will also review meeting minutes and address other preservation business.

Thursday, July 23 – Memorial School Building Committee, 5:30 PM, Town Hall and Virtual (Hybrid)

The Memorial School Building Committee will continue planning for the Memorial School building project by reviewing the project schedule, discussing questions submitted by architectural design teams, and developing evaluation criteria for selecting a designer. Members will also review a draft project charter and choose committee representatives to serve on the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s Designer Selection Panel.

Thursday, July 23 – Hybrid Town Meeting Committee, 7:00 PM, Virtual (Zoom)

The Hybrid Town Meeting Committee will continue refining its recommendations for implementing hybrid Representative Town Meetings. Discussion will focus on the committee’s draft report, technical requirements, legal review, potential Town Meeting articles and motions, outreach efforts, and presentations to the Finance Committee, Select Board, and Representative Town Meeting. Members will also review project timelines and schedule future meetings.

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Natick government meetings for week of June 13, 2026: Proposed apartment complex before ConCom; Accessibility considerations at riverfront parks

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A sampling of Natick town government meetings and agenda items for the week of July 13, 2026 (Review all meetings &  agendas):                            

Wednesday, July 15 – Hybrid Town Meeting Committee, 7:00 PM, Virtual (Zoom)

The Hybrid Town Meeting Committee will continue developing its recommendations for implementing hybrid Town Meetings. Members will review a draft report, discuss technical requirements, potential Town Meeting articles and a home rule petition, and plan outreach efforts and presentations to the Finance Committee, Select Board, and Representative Town Meeting. The committee will also review its timeline and schedule future meetings.

Thursday, July 16 – Conservation Commission, 7:00 PM, Town Hall and Virtual (Hybrid)

The Conservation Commission will consider a full agenda of environmental permitting requests, including certificates of compliance, requests for determinations of applicability, notices of intent, and major stormwater permits for several properties, including 273 West Central Street (next to West Natick train station) Commissioners will also discuss proposed plan changes at 33 Pine Street, ongoing Town Forest beaver management, and updates from the Community and Economic Development Department.

Thursday, July 16 – Historic District Commission, 7:00 PM, Town Hall and Virtual (Hybrid)

The Historic District Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed accessibility improvements to Old Town Park, Grove Park, and the Multi-Purpose Area at 7, 11, and 23 Pleasant Street. The commission will also review June meeting minutes and address any additional historic district businesses.

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Legendary Booker T. Jones brings the soul to Natick

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Booker T Jones at TCAN
Booker T. Jones at TCAN (Photo credit: Jim Sabitus)

 
Soul legend Booker T. Jones took the TCAN stage on Friday, June 19, and delivered a brisk 90-minute, no-intermission set. When I took my seat, the long-time fan next to me said, “This guy is 81 years old, but he’ll rock your socks off.” Was he impressive for an 81-year-old? Absolutely. Did he rock my socks off? Not exactly, and that wasn’t the point. Instead, what followed was a much gentler, almost sentimental show. The show never overstayed its welcome, but always told a good story. Jones alternated between keyboard and guitar, delivering a combination of his own classics, covers, and a scene-setting anecdote for each. 

Jones was the last to join the stage. After some suspense, he was introduced as the “Honorary, Legendary, Doctor Booker T.  Jones.” The band then went right into opening with “Hang ‘em High,” taken from the 1968 Western film of the same name. When the song had finished, Jones jokingly called it “cinematic,” owing to the song’s origin. His words may have been in jest, but he was right. It was a cinematic opening indeed, stretched well beyond the original’s length and accompanied by lights, with a climactic crescendo that drew the audience in and set a strong tone for the evening. 

They followed with “Soul Dressing,” a song that showcased one of the evening’s recurring strengths. The defining feature of this song was the brief exchanges between the drums and other instruments on stage. One instrument would rise above the others, then another, and then they would settle back into a satisfying harmony. These exchanges would become a recurring element and add a new layer to some familiar tunes. However, the musical prowess of a Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee like Jones likely goes without saying. Instead, I found his seamless movement between story and song to be the most interesting. He didn’t talk extensively, just enough to add some color and contextualize each song. He spoke of his time in Memphis, being invited to the studio when he was in just 10th grade, and his interactions with Albert King. These anecdotes flowed naturally into the blues classic, “Born Under a Bad Sign.” Jones, along with William Bell, had worked on the song with King when he came to Memphis.

Booker T Jones at TCAN
Photo credit: Jim Sabitus

Jones maintained this pattern, adding a short note before almost every song. This, combined with the change in lights, gave a unique identity to each. Together, they gave the evening a distinct character. As Jones recalled his life and career, the night took on a nostalgic quality. For a musician with so many years in the industry, playing to a small, intimate audience, that meditative quality fit well. When he talked about listening to music in the back of his father’s ‘49 Ford or moving from Memphis to California, he took the audience with him. Each song was a vignette. I particularly enjoyed hearing how Bob Dylan had borrowed Jones’s broken tape recorder. According to Jones, “he liked the sound.” For Dylan fans, that will sound on point. This all culminated neatly in a cover of “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” 

After a few more covers and songs of his own, the band eventually reached “Green Onions.” This” is a must-have for a Booker T. Jones concert, and it was delivered well here, but strangely, I was much more interested in the two songs that came after. Following a standing ovation for “Green Onions,” the band went into “Time is Tight.” It was by far the highlight of the night. The song began soft and ethereal, but gradually gained speed and definition. No one wanted it to end, and by all accounts, neither did the band. It was easily the longest performance of the evening.

Jones followed this up with “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” turning the song into a tribute to his wife. When the song finished, he said, “There’s a woman sitting out there who I’ve been married to for 41 years.” Just when the audience thought the show had reached its end, the band finished with “Everything is Everything.”

The audience’s reaction largely mirrored my own assessment. Jones more than met expectations. The audience was almost exclusively long-term fans, including one who went to their first Booker T. and the MGs concert in 1971 and had been returning ever since. Another had been introduced to Booker T. Jones when he bought a keyboard in high school that came with “Green Onions” built in. There was also a smaller subset of young fans as well, including an aspiring keyboardist. However, all of them shared a deep appreciation for the music. Some were dressed up enough to be part of the band. Others just closed their eyes and listened.

What became clear throughout the evening was Jones’s self-awareness. He didn’t revisit the past merely for nostalgia’s sake. He wasn’t trying to relive the glory days. He told stories. He knew his audience well and understood that at 81 years old, with a strong reputation, he has nothing left to prove. The performance was confident, relaxed, and personal. In 90 minutes, he gave the audience a brief look at his 66 years in music. 

Booker T Jones at TCAN
Photo credit: Jim Sabitus

 

Interested in having Natick Report review a local show or interview a performer? Let us know: natickreport@gmail.com

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Natick government meetings for week of June 29, 2026: West Natick mixed-use development back at Planning; Commission on Disability to meet

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A sampling of Natick town government meetings and agenda items for the week of June 29, 2026 (Review all meetings &  agendas):                            

Wednesday, July 1 – Natick 180 Steering Committee, 8:30 AM, Hybrid

The Natick 180 Steering Committee will review meeting minutes, recap June Natick Nights, and discuss planning for upcoming community events. Members will also consider the proposed FY2027 opioid abatement budget, hear updates from local organizations and town departments, receive a finance report, and review progress from the committee’s action teams focused on awareness, services, and policy.

Wednesday, July 1 – Planning Board, 7:00 PM, Town Hall and Virtual (Hybrid)

The Planning Board will continue its public hearing on the proposed mixed-use redevelopment at 273 West Central Street. The board will also consider confirmation of its representative to the Open Space Advisory Committee, discuss potential zoning articles for the 2026 Fall Annual Town Meeting, and address any additional planning business.

Thursday, July 2 – MetroWest Regional Emergency Planning Committee, 10:00 AM, Natick Fire Department Station 4 (In-Person)

The MetroWest Regional Emergency Planning Committee will review April meeting minutes and hear a presentation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on protecting critical water infrastructure. Members will also receive an update from the Training Committee, discuss regional emergency preparedness initiatives, and determine the location of the committee’s October meeting.

Thursday, July 2 – Commission on Disability, 7:00 PM, Virtual (Zoom)

The Commission on Disability will consider a letter of support for a Community Preservation Act application to improve accessibility through a connection to the rail trail. Commissioners will also review and approve minutes from their March meeting and discuss scheduling for future meetings.

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Natick government meetings for week of June 15, 2026: More on Main Street; Looking ahead to next Town Meeting

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Natick government meetings for week of June 15, 2026:


A sampling of Natick town government meetings and agenda items for the week of June 15, 2026 (Review all meetings &  agendas):                            

Tuesday, June 16 – Main Street Improvement Project Working Group, 10:00 AM, Virtual (Zoom)

The Main Street Improvement Project Working Group will review and vote on its draft report summarizing findings and recommendations related to the downtown improvement initiative. Members will also discuss how the report will be presented to the Select Board and outline next steps as the group concludes its work.

Wednesday, June 17 – Planning Board, 7:00 PM, Town Hall and Virtual (Hybrid)

The Planning Board will focus on broader planning and policy issues rather than specific development proposals. Discussion will include potential zoning articles for the 2026 Fall Annual Town Meeting and a review of the board’s rules and regulations. Members may also address additional planning matters and future priorities for the town.

Thursday, June 18 – Conservation Commission, 7:00 PM, Town Hall and Virtual (Hybrid)

The Conservation Commission will continue hearings on several development and environmental permitting projects, including proposals at 24 Peterson Road, 273 West Central Street (apartments), and 43 Cypress Road. Commissioners will also consider a certificate of compliance request for 17 Upland Road and discuss ongoing issues such as Middlesex Path bicycle access, Town Forest beaver management, and updates from the Community and Economic Development Department.

Thursday, June 18 – Hybrid Town Meeting Committee, 7:00 PM, Virtual (Zoom)

The Hybrid Town Meeting Committee will continue exploring how remote participation could be incorporated into Natick’s Representative Town Meeting system. Members will review practices used in other Massachusetts communities, discuss technology and voting security options, consider accessibility and equity concerns, and examine potential bylaw or charter changes needed to support hybrid meetings. The committee will also review its meeting schedule and identify priorities for future discussions.

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